BURATAI DEDICATES AWARD TO FRONTLINE SOLDIERS, SAYS THEIR SACRIFICES MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

By Femi oyewale

 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has dedicated an award presented to him in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism to Nigerian soldiers serving on the frontlines, describing their courage, sacrifices and commitment as central to the country’s efforts to restore peace and security.

 

Buratai made the dedication on Friday in Lagos while responding to an award of appreciation presented to him at the public launch of Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria, authored by Dr. Joan Ugo Mbagwu, a Professor of Peace, Criminology and Security Studies at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former army chief, who commanded the Nigerian Army between 2015 and 2021, said the recognition should extend beyond his person to the gallant officers and soldiers who risk their lives daily in the defence of the country.

He dedicated the honour to troops deployed across various theatres of operation, particularly those confronting terrorism and insurgency, acknowledging their sacrifices and commitment to protecting Nigerians.

 

The award was presented in recognition of his contributions to the fight against terrorism during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.

 

The ceremony, which attracted security stakeholders, academics and other dignitaries, also provided an opportunity for discussions on the need for a comprehensive national strategy to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

 

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Buratai stressed that military force alone could not defeat terrorism, advocating a broader approach anchored on effective governance, credible intelligence, economic empowerment, community participation and regional cooperation.

 

He described the book as an important intellectual contribution to Nigeria’s security policy, noting that although military intervention remained indispensable in confronting armed groups, sustainable peace required addressing the underlying conditions that facilitated terrorist recruitment.

 

“Military force, however professional, is a shield, not a substitute for governance. It can create the conditions for peace, but it cannot by itself build peace.

“It can degrade a terrorist group; it cannot alone remove the grievances of poverty, ignorance and manipulation from which such groups recruit,” he said.

 

 

Buratai identified intelligence gathering and community trust as critical components of successful counter-insurgency operations, insisting that security agencies must establish credible relationships with local populations.

 

 

“No amount of firepower can compensate for poor intelligence. The community is often the best source of intelligence, but only when the community trusts the security agencies,” he stated.

 

He also emphasised the importance of professionalism and respect for human rights, warning that violations during security operations could alienate communities and provide terrorist organisations with propaganda opportunities to attract new recruits.

 

 

The retired general called for stronger counter-terrorism capacity within the Nigeria Police Force, cautioning against the continued overstretching of the military in areas traditionally assigned to civilian security institutions.

 

 

“The military is not the police; it is not the social welfare agency; it is not the school system. When the military is deployed to perform tasks that belong to civil authorities, it becomes overstretched, and the roots of the conflict remain untouched,” he said.

 

 

On deradicalisation and rehabilitation, Buratai supported credible programmes for disengaging former terrorists from extremist ideologies but maintained that such initiatives must not undermine justice for victims and affected communities.

 

He equally advocated stronger regional security cooperation, drawing from his experience as commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad.

 

According to him, terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and its affiliates, operate across national boundaries, making sustained cooperation among neighbouring countries essential.

 

He also supported the book’s recommendation for a state of emergency on poverty in Northern Nigeria, arguing that interventions should address out-of-school children, the Almajiri system, youth unemployment, vocational training and social protection.

 

Buratai warned that poverty alleviation programmes must be transparent and protected against elite capture.

 

“Poverty is not an excuse for terrorism, but it is a fertile ground for recruitment and manipulation. We must treat it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said

Highlighting the research findings contained in the publication, he disclosed that field surveys were conducted across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

 

According to him, 86 per cent of respondents believed negotiation could be helpful in addressing terrorism, while 92 per cent agreed that community members could contribute significantly to intelligence gathering.

 

The study also found that 84 per cent of respondents linked terrorist recruitment to poor economic conditions and the Almajiri situation.

 

Earlier, the author, Mbagwu, said the book was conceived to broaden national understanding of counter-terrorism beyond the conventional reliance on military force.

 

She advocated greater attention to deradicalisation, negotiation, improved socio-economic conditions and stronger partnerships between government institutions, local communities and civil society organisations.

 

Mbagwu, who disclosed that she had conducted research for the Ford Foundation and the Institute for Development Studies, also served as a Process Evaluator for the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund in Africa.

She said her professional experience in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and security studies informed the research and recommendations contained in the publication.

 

The author commended Buratai for his interest in the book and his contributions to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts during his military career.

 

The Chairman of the occasion, Olubunmi Ajala, also commended the former army chief for his commitment, dedication and passion for security-related issues, describing the book launch as a timely intervention in view of the country’s prevailing security challenges.

 

The book, Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria, was formally unveiled by retired Major